Mother’s Day is almost here, and who wouldn’t LOVE a gorgeous Japanese Maple?? This sweet little mom-to-be chose these prized ornamentals as her Plant of the Week, and it’s easy to see why. There are hundreds of varieties in colors that range from shades of green, yellow, orange, red, burgundy, purple, and variegated, and they put on an unrivaled showcase with their fall color change. Their maturity height can be anywhere from 5’ to 25’ tall, and there are a variety of canopy styles; some are shrub-like (like Shaina & Tamukeyama), some boast gorgeous weeping branches (like Crimson Queen & Waterfall) , while others are tall and upright (Bloodgood & Coral Bark). Leaf shapes range from thin and lace-like to broad, palm-shaped.
Japanese Maples are excellent specimen pieces, and in addition to being planted in-ground, can be put in pots, arched on an arbor, or trained to grow as an espalier. While they have a variety of styles and uses, one thing they all have in common here in North Texas is they need protection for our hot summer sun (a lot of people plant them under taller trees). Morning sun/afternoon shade is best, and they prefer slightly acidic soil with excellent drainage. Before they drop their leaves for the winter, they will put on a spectacular show, turning shades of cherry red, fiery orange, and brilliant yellow. Check our online inventory here (due to high plant turnover, please call and verify inventory), and click through the slideshow below for a little bit of zen, and Happy Mother’s Day to Abby and all the hard-working moms out there!
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